Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Psalm 73:1-5 NIV
Have you ever looked at everyone else and thought, “How come I seem to be the only one who’s life is falling apart!?” That was rhetorical, because we all do that from time to time! It’s easy to see what appears to be the picture perfect life of others and conclude that we are the only ones struggling, but I’ve lived long enough to know that everyone has struggles to deal with. Some are just more obvious than others.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. Psalm 73:13-14 NIV
If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ve probably all come to this conclusion a time or two . These thoughts usually take center stage in the middle of the “pity party” we throw ourselves. “What’s the point of serving God, if all I ever end up with is pain and suffering anyway?” “Woe is me!” Once we reach that point, we’ve totally lost perspective and are in desperate need of an attitude change. So how do we regain our grip on reality?
When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Psalm 73:16-17 NIV
There’s no better place to regain perspective than in the house of God! You enter carrying the weigh of the world, not even sure it was worth the effort to get there on time, then the music starts playing……the worship band begins to sing….. you sense the power of the Spirit moving in your heart…. you try to join in the singing, but the emotions you’ve been carrying all week long first need to be released. By the time the worship service is over, you feel light again, the burden has been lifted, and then the Pastor opens up the Word of God. Once again you’re amazed how his sermon seems to have been prepared just for you. God always knows! If you can’t relate to this experience, you’re either going to the wrong church or your heart is growing cold. Find out which one, and make the necessary adjustments.
Don’t let the enemy talk you out of being in God’s house when you are struggling! It doesn’t matter if it’s emotional, physical or both, there’s no better place to be when life is hard, and you can be sure, Satan will give you every reason he can think of to talk you out of going!
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:21-25 NIV
When we are grieving and our spirit’s are embittered, we do some pretty stupid things and make some really big mistakes. Like a “brute beast” we seem to lose all sense of control and sound wisdom. Yet God does not abandon us! We are always with Him. He holds us by the hand and guides us through the difficult times. He counsel’s us and helps us regain perspective. And when this life is over, and all the pain is past, if we have walked with Him, He will usher us into glory! We will take our rightful place with Him for all eternity. “Rightful” because Jesus died to give us that right! “And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” Is there anything you desire more than God? If you’re wise, your choices will reflect that.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV